The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, officially appointed the National Sports Council today (February 14), entrusting it with the responsibility of advising the government on sports promotion, development, and governance.
Former Sri Lankan rugby captain and basketball player, Priyantha Ekanayake, has been named Chairman of the council. He, along with 13 other members, received their letters of appointment at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Sports, attended by Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Eranga Gunasekara.
The National Sports Council comprises distinguished athletes, sports administrators, and professionals with vast experience in their respective fields. The appointed members include: Samantha Nanayakkara, Rukman Wekadapola, Sidath Wettamuny, Chanaka Jayamaha, Rohan Abeykoon, Niroshan Wijekoon, Murad Ismail, Roshan Mahanama, C. Ratnamudali, Sriyani Kulawansa, Malik J. Fernando, and Shanitha Fernando.
Profiles of Key Members:
Priyantha Ekanayake – A former Sri Lankan rugby captain who has represented New Zealand and Wales rugby clubs. He has served as President of both the Sri Lanka and Asian Rugby Unions.
Samantha Nanayakkara – A Professor of Sports Studies at the University of Colombo, recognized as the country’s first sports professor and a former university-level basketball player.
Rukman Wekadapola – A boxing referee affiliated with the International Boxing Association and a sports teacher who also lectures at universities.
Sidath Wettamuny – A former Test cricketer and opening batsman for Sri Lanka’s national team from 1982 to 1987.
Chanaka Jayamaha – A Supreme Court lawyer who has served as a non-executive independent director of Colombo Dockyard PLC.
Rohan Abeykoon – A former Sri Lankan rugby player, ex-chairman of the National Rugby Selection Committee, and a former captain of the Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens team.
Niroshan Wijeyakoon – Sri Lanka’s first Olympic badminton player, multiple-time national champion, and former National Selection Committee Chairman and coach.
Murad Ismail – A former member of the Sri Lanka Table Tennis Federation, the Golf Selection Committee, and Secretary of the Table Tennis Association.
Roshan Mahanama – A 1996 ODI World Cup-winning cricketer, former ICC Match Referee and a member of the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection and Technical Advisory Committees.
C. Ratnamudali – A lecturer at the University of Moratuwa involved in sports governance and national volleyball administration.
Sriyani Kulawansa – An Olympic athlete, Commonwealth Games silver medalist, and Asian Games bronze medalist who competed in over 70 international games between 1989 and 2004. She still holds the South Asian Games record for 100m hurdles.
Malik J. Fernando – Co-Chairman of Dilmah Pvt. Ltd., representing business leadership in sports administration.
Shanitha Fernando – A former CR & FC rugby player and national rugby team member, serving as the club’s vice president.
The newly appointed council brings together sports veterans, legal experts and administrators, ensuring well-rounded guidance for Sri Lanka’s sports development and future progress.
